Martinez sets eyes on 2018 Winter Olympics

Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez said that his preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea is on track.

“I am really on track toward my goal for the 2018 Winter Olympics. I will do my best to be in the Top 5 or even get a medal,” said Martinez in an interview.

Martinez finished 19th overall in the 2014 Sochi Games. He is currently practicing a demanding quadruple jump, “I’ll be training hard to be able to perfect the quad. I’ve been doing it but I just need to land it [smoothly]. Then, [my other goal is]to perfect my two new programs which I really love to do and improved my season scores in time for the next season.”

The 19-year old Martinez is set to showcase his prowess first in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games that will introduce ice skating and ice hockey as new events.

“My target is to win the gold medal. And of course, help my fellow skaters there, of course Filipino athletes here, that will compete in the Southeast Asian games to hopefully place there too.”

The 2015 Asian Trophy champion admits that he’s experiencing pressure, “Yes, there’s a pressure. But like they said, diamonds are built under pressure.”

“My journey has a lot of up’s and down’s. Actually, in the Olympics it was really good. After that – the season is not good for me. But now, the ending season is really great because I felt moving up every time,” he added.

Martinez will be conducting his first skating camp on June 15 to 17 at the SM Mall of Asia ice skating rink in Pasay City and July 1 at SM Seaside City Cebu.